Arsène Wenger in our Official Arsenal Magazine:
“The lack of quality in some [international] games has been wiped out by the national pride of people supporting their countries. But in the longer run, that doesn’t work.
“People want quality, and we saw some games in the last round of internationals – Bulgaria v Wales for example – there were just 1,000 people there. That makes a mockery of international football. So we have to look at that quickly, because it creates a new problem.
“I think it will get worse and worse because we are facing an economic crisis too. That will have direct consequences for the attendances. It’s more and more difficult to sell out games – even in a big country like France. Not one home game there was a sell-out. Not one. That shows you that there’s something happening that is a deeper problem.”
Something has gone wrong.
We should all be drooling at the prospect of Europe’s best national teams competing against each other during yet another Interlull. On Saturday England ‘take on’ Spain at Wembley: the world’s best national team comes to the holy ground of football to play England, and yet nobody is really excited about it. Furthermore, next week Tuesday two of the fiercest European rivals, Germany and Holland, meet for a ‘friendly’. The finalist and semi-finalist of the 2010 World Cup don’t really do friendlies, but even this game is unlikely to put the world on fire.
There is a time and place for international games and it is not in the middle of the National and European club competitions.
Club football and national football are both great to watch, but they do not mix very well. Clubs are far too worried their players will get injured, and quite rightly so – Arsenal has suffered disproportionately from players returning with bad injuries over recent years. As a result, players often get withdrawn before an international game under the pretence of an injury – or players (and their national managers) get told to take it easy, avoid risks and only play for 45 minutes. During friendlies, this usually results in a ludicrous number of substitutions which often totally destroys the flow and tactics of a particular game. It is fair to say, the quality of international qualification games, and friendlies as well, has decreased significantly over recent years.
Too often the difference in quality between the nations within a football qualification group is far too big, leading to dreary, insipid games most of us do not manage to watch till the end. Friendlies are often even worse: the opposition might be stronger, but the aforementioned restrictions put onto players by their clubs, very often lead to lacklustre performances of which the only beneficiaries are those that suffer from severe insomnia.
Arsene is right in saying that this lack of ‘quality’ – his favourite word at the moment, it seems – is creating a problem.
Furthermore, most fans do not like international football during the league-season, regardless of the quality on display. Most of us get deeply enthralled into our clubs’ doings, on and off the pitch, and the international games take us rudely out of our tribal, cosy footie-cocoons.
Yet, the European and World Championships are fantastic tournaments. I especially like the European Championship as everybody who starts in it has a chance, and it so often has a surprise winner (Denmark, Greece spring to mind). The quality of the football on show is often very high too (Greece does not spring to mind this time). The World Cup is a great tournament as well and a fantastic opportunity to see the world best players on display. However, they are both summer tournaments. That is where they belong: in between the club football league seasons.
Proper, full-on footie fans, know the difference between an even and uneven year: the former treats us to great international games in the summer, and the latter leaves us fully exposed to a cruel and seemingly never-ending, free for all, transfer window endurance-course (and Arsenal fans will not want to go through another one of those ever again).
Now, I do not remember much about my maths lessons: let’s just say there were far more alluring distractions during those vital learning years of puberty and beyond. I do remember though that if you add up two negatives it will result in a larger negative outcome, but if you multiply two negatives you actually get a positive outcome. And that is exactly what I am proposing to do with regard to the internationals.
Here is my proposal to the likes of FIFA, UEFA and the FA:
No more national qualification games and no more friendlies during the club league football seasons: all qualification and friendly games should be played in the summers of the uneven years.
What does it mean?
- The league seasons will become shorter allowing sufficient time for all international games to be played in May/June. The international games take up four to five weeks of the football season, and by taking these out, the season would normally end between 8-15 April, after which the FA cup final and CL final can be played.
- From the beginning of May till 10 June two friendlies and 8-10 qualification games shall be played, leaving four weeks of holiday, after which the players return for pre-season preparations, and the PL and other Leagues shall normally start again around 10 August.
- The club/league football season will be played without any interruption of international games, allowing everyone who loves club football to get fully engrossed in it.
- The clubs will be far more happy with letting their players go, as if and when they would get injured, there is the rest of the summer to allow for recuperation, which would considerably reduce the impact to the clubs.
- The players will be more up for it, now being able to fully concentrate and dedicate themselves to the international games.
- The fans will show significantly more interest, as there is nothing else to do, and the high intensity of international games every three to four days in May and June – with qualification for a major tournament at stake – will be a far more attractive formula than the current one (spread out over two seasons).
- The FA could save itself a few million pounds as it does not need a full-time manager anymore: maybe, it can even convince Fergie and Arsene to work together in May and June for a small bonus.
- Wembley would be unused for a big part of the year, but the FA could offer those with small stadiums to play some of their home games there (and we all know who those are!).
Now, a lose-lose situation (two negatives added up) turn into a win-win situation (two negatives are multiplied with each other): no more international distractions during the club footie seasons, fully dedicated players who want to give it their all for their national teams, and the fans will also be fully focussed to give their full support to England. All in all, I can only see benefits. I am sure the devil is well hidden in the detail, but the British are champions at iterative problem solving, so I am urging the FA to take the lead and get this party started by putting in a proposal to UEFA/FIFA. It is about time the official football bodies make a paradigm-jump in order to rescue the beauty and splendour of the internationals.
Written by TotalArsenal.
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
TA that is a quality idea, and how you have set it out leaves me thinking why did I never think about that.
In addition it means all rivalries have been settled as the season has ended and the players involved can become a team. They’ll be no knee jerk reactions to in form players being selected and players will have a whole season to impress the manager.
The only suggestion I don’t like is letting Wenger in, why would we want to improve any of our rivals by allowing him to coach them 😉
Hill Wood has been talking to his mate at the Star again:
“He doesn’t want to talk about it and we’re not troubling him. We’ll approach him near the end of the season.
We hope he will sign a new contract – I don’t see why he should not
He was quite difficult at Feyenoord, but we have had no trouble with him, I can’t believe he is unhappy with us.”
Thanks GiE, good point about rivalries being settled.
Got to go again, as daughter is demanding entertainment. See you all later.
Great idea Total, and well argued.
But, while it would work for the leagues in England, Spain, Italy, Germany etc, the timetable wouldn’t work for Brazil, Argentina, Russia and some others. Perhaps there should be a comprehensive restructuring and synchronisation of all football seasons but that’s a massive project and seasonal weather would be huge obstacles. And before anyone dismisses the importance of Brazilian or Russian domestic football, it’s worth keeping an eye on macroeconomics; the emergence of the BRIC economies means these leagues are already much stronger than they were and that’s a trend that’s likely to continue.
But I still like the idea, an excellent, fair and rational suggestion.
I have to agree with 26,
Whilst it would no doubt help certain countries like England, Spain, Italy etc, it would hinder countries like Russia, Brazil etc.
This could arguably increase the gulf in class between certain countries making the games even worse!
Unfortunately, it would be almost impossible to find a system where the majority would benefit. This leaves us with the position we are in now.
The only way forward in my eyes is to scrap the friendlies altogether during any league season. Only countries who are both in the off season can arrange friendlies. It would at least reduce games during seasons. I think everyone would be happier if the only way there players could get injured playing international during a season is if it meant something ie qualifiers.
TA. An excellent thought provoking piece. Too good for the quiet weekend.
IMO the answer to our woes lies with the holy cow of the Premiership (I speak only of GB) – the number of clubs in the PL. If we could drop 2 teams and thus 4 games from the season, we would have fresher players for the International break in summer.
Or and more relevant it would allow a winter break for the players.
Pipe dream I know –
Trust a law man to think about other leagues 😉 who cares about them
Hi 26, You might have a point there. I don’t know enough about those countries’ competitions and whether they like the current set-up and would not want to change it. In principle, these changes could be agreed per continent as I am not suggesting to change the dates for the World Cup Competition itself.
I guess Russia would also benefit from not having to play friendlies and qualifiers in August, September and October. It allows them to get on with their domestic season which could free up time in May?!
Thanks BR, a reduction of teams in the PL is definetely a good idea. Even the Spanish are considering this now.
From Wikipedia
‘Unlike most other European football leagues, the [Russian] league traditionally ran in summer, from March to November, to avoid playing games under the cold and snowy weather in winter. This will be altered ahead of the 2012/13 season, with the league planning to run the season from autumn to spring. The transitional season of the competition began in early 2011 and will continue until summer of 2012.’
So there could be an opportunity to align Russia with the rest of Europe.
Nice programme. I used to have that!
Don’t worry TA, it is just an interlull in the storm 🙂
It is not fair to the fans to keep interupting the season with these silly international matches.
The smaller nations should be in a knock out competition with each other. Its stupid releasing players to play against Monaco,Iceland etc.
Why not have a World Cup every year on a \fa \cup style knock out.
This would give the lesser nations a chance of glory, and just imagine the news value of Spain being knocked out by Korea.
Only a few players would have to play a lot of matches.
This would cut out all these boring qualifying games and not mess up the domestic game. Already three times this season has been messed up with boring International football.
Remember any top Premier team team would win the World Cup.
Any top International team only has a few players who are up to the standard of Manu, Manc,Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool etc.
Qualifying games, added on time,have all gone against the lesser teams.
Another stupid thing is the silly rules for sending off. A penalty should be enough for the “last defender” nonsense. Two yellow card sending off, how rediculous, there is no justice in it anyway.
You can miss the next game in a match that does not matter or find yourself out of a Cup final. Gerrard,Scholes,Rooney, and such like get a warning but a nrmally fair player can be despatched on two technical fouls, often contentious at that.
Fans pay a lot of money, TV want people to watch in order to satisfy
the advertisers and yet how many times is game over when a pleyer is sent off.
Excellent idea TA.
Yes, there are going to be hurdles, but with will and intelligence they can be overcome .
TA: Thanks, I didn’t know about the Russians making that change. It’s understandable in terms of European competition but sounds bonkers in terms of the weather: if they start in August, it can be +35 degrees in the Moscow region (higher elsewhere) and in winter of course, freeze your knackers off cold.
Capello’s use of Theo is very poor. He is not a FB nor a Parlour/Milner type MF.
England desperately need an out ball and playing Theo further up the pitch and on the wing would provide that.
But then Capello has already shown his mettle as an England manager
When I heard Jones and Parker would be our centre midfield I decided it wasn’t worth watching!
GIE. Good decision. Fortunately Theo was subbed at half time
My goodness it’s quiet.
Good thought process TA, the international games have certainly lost their allure for me recently – could be that I dislike most of the team, Arsenal players being the exception.
I do love the way the country gets behind the England team though and feel sure that had the World cup been awarded to us it would have been a wonderful time.
I thought Theo looked really strong in the first half against Spain, I think I was only watching him though. Biased moi 🙂
Need a post for tomorrow please
Cesc is regressing 😦 Stupid fauls, missing sitters, what a disappointing performance
TA – I am going to read your post now, better late than never
I think I am a decent judge of a player and it is always pleasant to see a player prove me wrong. Lescott did that tonight,
I recall laughing when MC paid so much for him
Same goes for Parker. The man is a quality player and it is astonishing he was stuck at WHU for so long
Sadly the reverse is true of Torres.
Raddy – and what did you make of fat Cesc?
TA – very good idea. I hate, I hate, I hate footyless summers!! It would be so good to watch qualifiers and friendlies during those barren months.
However, players are tired after long, demanding seasons. I cannot imagine them giving 100%, they are knackered.
But you are right about internationals losing their appeal. But is it just internationals? I think not. I recon people are genuinly getting fed up with the new ugly, oily face of the beautiful game (sorry Albert, but it is an ugly face)?
I love the Greece springing / not springing to your mind 🙂
Spain reminded me quite a bit of Arsenal tonight. That is, the Arsenal of the last few seasons, when we so often played with too low a tempo and pass almost everything through the middle, without using the wings effectively.
BR, you are right re Lescott and Parker: both gave their all and played well (partly as a result of a below par performance – tempo/hunger – by the Spanish).
I don’t agree with your assessment Evonne – respectfully. He ran the Spanish team when he came on, took responsibility and drove them forward. He not only managed that but also got into the box to miss their best cnance and almost scored a couple of minutes before with a shot that was saved.
He isn’t fat, he has matured.
Wish he was still at AFC
Thanks Evonne. The good news is we will not be interupted anymore till February next year. From now on, it is full-on PL for a long time!
TA. Another long empty week before then 😦
True BR, one more to go: bah 😦 Are you planning to come and watch a game in the near future?
TA. Yes. I am over for the Boxing Day fixture.
We could be top of the league by then BR, and straight-nosed Micky might field a second-string team 😉
TA Not could ….. will !
Raddy – I’ve got you a ticket for the Boxing Day game 🙂
What a ticket fairy!!!!!!! 😉
Fairy – I thought Raddy was coming to the Fulham game??
TA – are you coming on 26th ? With GiE
Yes, we are! Is it still ok to park at your house: I bring the cake!?
TA – of course it is. I am coming too, Fairy got tickets for me
I was confused watching that game . :confused:
Lots of hard work in defence but piss poor ball retention, It was like watching a pub team panicking and booting it anywhere, I`m sure our footballers do exactly what Spanish footballers do in training, one/two touch pass and move, so why can they do it on the pitch and not us ?. We may have won but our not so beautiful game was embarrassing ! 😳
Excellent Evonne! Did you check with your son if it is ok? 😛
No, but he only has 1 birthday a year, so I am free to go this time 🙂
Total,
Cake, hope It`s “award winning” cake.
If it`s pies you want I can recomend ” Grumpiesofcornwall.
If it`s cake`s, cornishpatisserie. google them, yummy!
Evonne 🙂 You tell him!
GLiC, the only thing award-winning in Norfolk is Turkey, and that is not really the thing to try and impress a lady of Evonne’s stature with, is it? I love the cornishpatisserie website, thanks! I wish we had something like that here 😦
Cracking idea Total..really brilliant.
So now that Jagielka and Lescott have played so well, does Capello realy bring the scumbag back in and make him captain..?? Its madness if he does.
That’s a bit harsh on Lampard….fat yes…scumbag no……oh THAT captain….as you were.
TA – ha ha ha, turkey before a game, no…just bring sweet GiE with you, that will do.
Evonne, re your 8.11pm, I have to ask that more care be taken with words: Total, Exile and I get on, but some might get the wrong idea from “TA – are you coming on 26th ? With GiE”.
😉
I learned one thing from watching the game yesterday: Sam Allardyce would be perfect as England manager. Spain barely tried but still outplayed us in midfield. We played well in defence and Parker looked good but there can be little doubt about what would happen in a real match.
About those boring internationals – it doesn’t really apply to Wales or Republic of Ireland, or even Scotland. How come that these small nations are giving their 100% and putting on a brilliant display. I only watched half an hour of the Welsh game, but it was fantastic. Sadly, Monkey boy and Bellamy were awesome. why the English team cannot do it?? Is Gary Speed the answer?
26may – naughty, naughty, naughty!!!
What did you make of Cesc, that stupid faul on Jagielka, bad decision and missing sitters?? I still love him to bits, but I would not say that his game has improved. TH14 became a more all-around player after moving to Barca, but I cannot see the same with Cesc. It is probably early days yet
Evonne – who is this Cesc you keep talking about?
And also I’m 😳 ….. sweet!?
Yes, you are a very sweet, lovely young man.
BTW, TA is bringing a turkey and SS a marrow, we could have something to eat before the game
My Cesc 😦 I might be desperately looking to fault him 😦 cannot get over him, his picture is still on my wall
GIE,
cesc is the guy who fooled us all, the fans, the manager and the board. great player, but one of the worst captains ever at Arsenal. his whole body language and general demeanor was totally wrong and he appeared to have carte blanche as what he could do in the last half of his last season.
I know you won’t agree with me, but we are a better unit without him.
Morning Kelsey – I agree, his last few months with us were not his best. But the same applied to TH14, his whole last season wasn’t great. Perhaps this is a lesson for AW – never try to hold on to a player who wants to go and certainly do not make him our captain. It doesn’t work, does it?
Anyone fancy writing a post for this morning, we have nothing 😦
Hi evonne
I admit that I didn’t pay a lot of attention to the game but I thought Cesc looked pretty good. He seemed to cause quite a few problems and was the focal point for much of Spain’s attacks in the second half.
I agree with kelsey that he was a poor captain, almost as bad as Gallas. But I don’t think Cesc’s uneven application was limited to 2011, he often coasted, even if too many fans were willing to ignore that while piling on the criticism for favoured hate-figures like Bendtner, Eboué, Denilson and Walcott.
We miss Cesc but paradoxically we are the better for his departure. And it’s also been fantastic for him to move, he’s playing in a different role and is loving it. Good luck to him.
I just had a look at the History on Arse.com and the only interesting thing this time of year is the 2 point deduction after the Old Trafford brawl in 1990 but I can’t find any reports about the game. Any of the oldies fancy writing a short post about it?
Or even the not so oldies 😳
Morning Peaches
Morning evonne 🙂
Kelsey the time for debating Cesc is gone, he’s not here I don’t know who he is 🙂 he was wiped from my Twitter timeline along with Nasri on the day of departures.
A short post about that brawl. All I remember is McClair giving Nigel a good kicking when on the ground and then everyone piling in. And of course after we won the league and as the FA presentation team walked on to the pitch the rendition of “you can stick your f*ing two points up your arse” ….. ah memories.
Hi GiE, can’t you eloquently pad that out a bit and turn it into a short post with a couple of youtube clips. There is a great one of GG’s team talk after the points had been deducted.
Peaches working on it
Ooooh you’re a star xxxx
New Post …………….
Excellent idea for adjusting the league schedule and the international calendar, but it’ll never happen–it makes too much sense.